The K-12 Science program is based primarily on the Virginia Standards of Learning for Science. It emphasizes the SOL content strands of Scientific Investigation Reasoning and Logic, Life Processes, Living Systems, Matter, Energy, Force and Motion, Earth/Space Interrelationships, Resources. The Science SOL Test Scores at grade 3 and grade 8 are among the highest in the school division.
The program is student-oriented, hands-on, and not textbook dependent. Science Fairs, including an Invention Convention for grade 5, are held at each elementary school. Advanced Placement courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics are offered at the high schools.
Middle School Course Offerings
Physical Science – Grade 8
During the academic year, students will become actively acquainted with two of the physical sciences: chemistry and physics. Using hands-on ...
Life Science – Grade 7
Life Science standards emphasize a more complex understanding of change, cycles, patterns, and relationships in the living world. Students will ...
Science – Grade 6
At this grade level, students will develop culminating experiences in the general sciences in preparation for content specialization during subsequent ...
High School Course Offerings
Advanced Placement Physics II
AP Physics II is the equivalent of a second semester algebra-based college level course.AP Physics is designed to develop advanced ...
Advanced Placement Physics I
AP Physics I is an introductory, algebra-based Physics course equivalent to a first semester college level course.It is designed to ...
Physics
This course provides a systematic introduction to the main principles of physics and emphasizes the development of conceptual understanding and ...
Advanced Placement Environmental Science
Students will explore and investigate the interrelationships of the natural world, identify and analyze environmental problems, both natural and human-made, ...
Advanced Placement Chemistry
AP Chemistry/AP Chemistry Laboratory is a daily two-semester course equivalent to the first year of college-level Introductory Chemistry.Upon successful completion ...
Chemistry
Chemistry I is a laboratory course of inorganic chemistry suggested for the student planning to pursue a four-year college degree.A ...
Advanced Placement Biology
AP Biology is the equivalent of a college-level Biology course.Instruction is focused on conceptual understanding that allows students to develop ...
Biology II: Advance Survey Topics/Field Biology (Spring)
Fall and Spring Field Biology are two courses that are similar in approach, but differ in content.Each course addresses the ...
Biology II: Advance Survey Topics/Field Biology (Fall)
Fall and Spring Field Biology are two courses that are similar in approach, but differ in content.Each course addresses the ...
Commonwealth Innovation (CI) – Biology II: Anatomy & Physiology and Drawing
This course introduces students to the structures and functions of the human body through a study of visual observation, stressing ...
Biology II: Anatomy & Physiology
Anatomy and Physiology introduces students to the structures and functions of the human body.The course focuses on each body system ...
Commonwealth Innovation (CI) – Art Foundations, Biology*, and Computer Information Systems
This yearlong, interdisciplinary, team-taught course is designed to engage students using project-based learning.Students research and create group projects using interrelationships ...
Honors Biology
Biology I is a laboratory science course in which students discover the parts and processes of living things and their ...
Biology – Grade 10
Biology I is a laboratory science course in which students discover the parts and processes of living things and their ...
Earth Science II: Oceanography
Oceanography is a survey course that introduces students to the four broad disciplines of marine science: chemical, physical, geological, and ...
Honors Earth Science
Earth Science is an introductory laboratory science course that covers astronomy, geology, oceanography, and meteorology. Investigations emphasize the social relevance ...
Earth Science – Grade 9
Earth Science is an introductory laboratory science course that covers astronomy, geology, oceanography, and meteorology. Investigations emphasize the social relevance ...
Commonwealth Innovation (CI) – Algebra, Functions, & Data (AFDA) and Physics
This interdisciplinary, co-taught AFDA/Physics course will investigate scientific method and data collection/analysis skills, linear functions and motion, projectiles and quadratics, ...
